Brian Tyree Henry: Will ‘Hero’-ic Broadway reviews lead to Emmy nomination for ‘Atlanta’ Season 2?

Despite a star-studded cast of A-listers that includes Chris Evans and Michael Cera, Brian Tyree Henry‘s performance is being singled out in the Broadway revival of “Lobby Hero.” David Rooney (Hollywood Reporter) even goes so far as to say, “The terrific Brian Tyree Henry [is] the production’s standout performance, showing a radically different range from his streetwise looseness on FX’s ‘Atlanta.'” Might all of this industry acclaim help Henry earn an Emmy nomination for “Atlanta” Season 2?

Don’t forget, Henry is already on Emmy’s radar as he was nominated last year for guest starring on “This Is Us.” (He lost to co-star Gerald McRaney.) But at the 2018 Emmys all eyes will be on whether he can nab a Best Comedy Supporting Actor nomination as up-and-coming rapper Paper Boi on “Atlanta.” According to Gold Derby’s Emmy odds, the answer is yes. Henry currently numbers among the six likeliest nominees, alongside Tituss Burgess (“Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”), Sean Hayes (“Will and Grace”), Louie Anderson (“Baskets”), Alec Baldwin (“Saturday Night Live”) and Marc Maron (“GLOW”).

In the Broadway revival of Kenneth Lonergan‘s play, Henry takes on the role of William, the boss of Cera’s inept security guard Jeff. “Lobby Hero” is currently enjoying its Broadway premiere nearly two decades after its debut. Other reviews to single out Henry’s performance are Tim Teeman (Daily Beast) who raves, “Henry’s performance is the most affecting and energetic,” and Ben Brantley (New York Times) who declares, “Mr. Henry offers a deeply moving study of resignation and rebellion, courage and compromise in uneasy counterpoint.”

“Atlanta” earned six nominations at last year’s Emmys including Best Comedy Series. It ended up winning two: Best Comedy Actor and Best Comedy Directing, both for series creator Donald Glover. Oftentimes shows in their second seasons break through even more, particularly in the supporting races, which bodes well for Henry’s chances. Just look at “The Office,” “30 Rock” and “Veep,” to name a few.

As far as Tony nominations predictions go, Henry faces stiff competition for Best Featured Actor (Play) from Lee Pace (“Angels in America”), James McArdle (“Angels in America”), Paul Thornley (“Harry Potter and the Cursed Child”), Anthony Boyle (“Harry Potter and the Cursed Child”) and Nathan Stewart-Jarrett (“Angels in America”). Just two years ago Laurie Metcalf earned a Tony nom for “Misery” and three Emmy bids all in the same summer, so might Brian Tyree Henry follow in her footsteps?

Be sure to make your Emmy predictions today so that Hollywood insiders can see how their TV shows and performers are faring in our odds. You can keep changing your predictions as often as you like until just before nominees are announced on July 12. And join in the fun debate over the 2018 Emmys taking place right now with Hollywood insiders in our television forums. Read more Gold Derby entertainment news.